Devils 2018-19 team discussion (news and notes)

[Brodeur]

I still remember a set of power rankings heading into the 2006-07 season which had us at #21 simply because we basically returned the same division winning roster from the year before without any additions (aka our big moves were retaining Elias/Langenbrunner).

 

[Bleedred]

A lot of rankings have the Devils in the 23-26 range that I've read.

I can certainly see why people would think that. The Devils were a neutral goal differential and negative shot differential team last year who relied tremendously on a career year by one player. They didn't add anyone of substance in the offseason. If they have the same possession and goal performance again they likely won't make the playoffs.

The upshot is that we have a lot of younger players with room to grow. Hischier obviously needs to take a step this year, but so do Zacha and Butcher. If all three of those guys get better this year I think the playoffs are within reach.

I'm surprised that a lot of the ''Devils will be bad'' predictions don't talk enough about goaltending. Schneider has now had 2 consecutive poor seasons and just had hip surgery. So he may already be toast and reduced to 2010-2012 era Brodeur and Keith Kinkaid is just Keith Kinkaid.

 

[Camille the Eel]

The goaltending is one of two big unknowns. The other is whether Mueller and Santini, and Severson can grow to be higher level players. Will we be able to handle pressure better this year.

Heavy teams and clubs that pressured the puck on us very aggressively gave us the most trouble last year. Those 3 defensemen are going to be key in whether we do a better job against it this year.

We pretty much know what we will get from our forward group and it’s going to be very good indeed.

 

[My3Sons]

If the team can stay healthy and compete with some emotion and belief in themselves they will win a number of games against teams with bad locker rooms or lack of dedication to winning. Look at MTL OTT NYI NYR etc. Teams that are rebuilding or lose top players (maybe CLB trades Panarin for futures?) can lose their way and with lack of extra effort a lesser team that tries harder can beat them. Doesn’t mean they will but for every team on the rise their is probably one that knows it’s on the way down.

 

[Emperoreddy]

A lot of these rankings don’t seem to get how badly goaltending nearly sunk the season last season. We were in a strong position all season until Cory fell off the cliff.

I think our goalie stats for the season were really bad as well. Any improvement in that area for the season means a lot for where we end up.

 

[Triumph]

A lot of these rankings don’t seem to get how badly goaltending nearly sunk the season last season. We were in a strong position all season until Cory fell off the cliff.

I think our goalie stats for the season were really bad as well. Any improvement in that area for the season means a lot for where we end up.

I'm not sure why anyone would have confidence that the Devils would get better goaltending this year. They certainly might - I'm just not confident in that.

 

[Better Call Sal]

Dea and Gryba are listed. Stafford is not.

JQ officially makes it.

 

[Peter Sidorkiewicz]

Happy for Quenneville. Hopefully he takes the opportunity and sticks

 

[Billdo]

I kinda dig this lineup.

 

[Blender]

Dea and Gryba are listed. Stafford is not.

JQ officially makes it.

Good for JQ. Not thrilled with Gryba still being here.

 

[Cheddabombs]

so, is Stafford going to stay with the team for now and go back to New Jersey with them? Or did they just say f*** you, we brought you to Europe now find your own way home lol

 

[MartyOwns]

so, is Stafford going to stay with the team for now and go back to New Jersey with them? Or did they just say **** you, we brought you to Europe now find your own way home lol

florida would’ve just called a very confused cab

 

[Better Call Sal]

Could see him taxi squadding it like Gomer did when he returned.

 

[NJDevs26]

Could see him taxi squadding it like Gomer did when he returned.

I think it's likely. Where else is he going to go? He didn't get a contract anywhere else in the offseason.

 

[Bleedred]

Isn't he not allowed to travel with the team for as long as he isn't signed? I remember that being the stipulation when Gomez and Stralman, Mair, etc, did it years ago.

 

[Devils Dominion]

Good for JQ. Not thrilled with Gryba still being here.

If Gruba sits in the team suite on gamenights it's fine.

He could actually help Bing a little which I would prefer

 

[Better Call Sal]

Don't know if these had been shared for those with the Athletic, but a couple of good articles on Nico and the game against Bern.

Peak performance: The family, friends and Swiss villages...

In spectacle and shadow, one Swiss city is helping to build...

 

[MartyOwns]

A lot of these rankings don’t seem to get how badly goaltending nearly sunk the season last season. We were in a strong position all season until Cory fell off the cliff.

I think our goalie stats for the season were really bad as well. Any improvement in that area for the season means a lot for where we end up.

i think they are factoring it in, but they’re not expecting kinkaid to carry us that far again...and they’re not expecting a rebound season from our #1 goalie coming off hip surgery. people here can disagree with that but it makes sense objectively

 

[My3Sons]

i think they are factoring it in, but they’re not expecting kinkaid to carry us that far again...and they’re not expecting a rebound season from our #1 goalie coming off hip surgery. people here can disagree with that but it makes sense objectively

Are there precedents for similarly aged goalies having the same surgery and returning to play?

 

[Cheddabombs]

Are there precedents for similarly aged goalies having the same surgery and returning to play?

Pretty sure Rinne had the same surgery.

 

[My3Sons]

Pretty sure Rinne had the same surgery.

So it’s not necessarily the end of the road. Hopefully his rehab goes well and he can play pain free. That might allow him to return to somemthing close to what he is capable of. While on the wrong side of 30 he isn’t so old that he should have lost all of his capability.

 

[RangerDoggo]

Dea and Gryba are listed. Stafford is not.

JQ officially makes it.

Not surprised that Gryba made it. I figured that they'd go 13 forwards and 8 defensemen, plus they gave him a one-year deal at free agency. Nonetheless, he's easily the 8th defenseman.

 

[bobilly45]

I'm surprised that a lot of the ''Devils will be bad'' predictions don't talk enough about goaltending. Schneider has now had 2 consecutive poor seasons and just had hip surgery. So he may already be toast and reduced to 2010-2012 era Brodeur and Keith Kinkaid is just Keith Kinkaid.

I said it years ago, I'll say it again (bc I'm the only one to do so).. Kinkaid has the skillset capable to be a number 1 goalie. Should he maintain last years play after he became the starter, he will be a starter for some team next year.

Too early to say how Cory will play. My biggest worry is if the hip surgery causes him to change his position or movement and how that will affect him.

 

[OmNomNom]

Isn't he not allowed to travel with the team for as long as he isn't signed? I remember that being the stipulation when Gomez and Stralman, Mair, etc, did it years ago.

bet you ray or the owners pay out of pocket for him to get back

 

[Bleedred]

bet you ray or the owners pay out of pocket for him to get back

You sure about that? With our cheap owners?

delete, googled my own answer

I’m assuming Blackwood. I forgot Seney was even still with the team. Stafford doesn’t need to be cut, as he has no contract.